G Ruiz1, J García Rodríguez, M L Güerri, A González. 1. Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana no. 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study clinical features of skeletal tuberculosis diagnosed in our laboratory over the last 10 years. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational study of 26 patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis recording clinical and microbiological data. RESULTS: Pain was the main clinical presentation. The median time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis was 8 months. Synovial fluid was the most common sample obtained. Bone disease and previous or concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis were the most important predisposing factors. The tuberculin test reaction was positive in 83.3% of the patients. The outcome was favorable in 69% of the patients. Weight-bearing joints were the most commonly involved sites. CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of suspicion is still needed to avoid a delayed diagnosis that might complicate the outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To study clinical features of skeletal tuberculosis diagnosed in our laboratory over the last 10 years. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational study of 26 patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis recording clinical and microbiological data. RESULTS:Pain was the main clinical presentation. The median time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis was 8 months. Synovial fluid was the most common sample obtained. Bone disease and previous or concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis were the most important predisposing factors. The tuberculin test reaction was positive in 83.3% of the patients. The outcome was favorable in 69% of the patients. Weight-bearing joints were the most commonly involved sites. CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of suspicion is still needed to avoid a delayed diagnosis that might complicate the outcome.
Authors: Stephanie M Lalor; Stephen Clarke; Jonathan Pink; Andrew Parry; Emma Scurrell; Noel Fitzpatrick; Fraje Watson; Conor O'Halloran; Danielle Gunn-Moore Journal: JFMS Open Rep Date: 2017-07-25